Sep 13: 20 Mayors to Discuss Severe Weather Implications for Mississippi River Sustainability and Need for Regional Cooperation

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Northeast-Midwest Institute (NEMWI):

What
Spurred by the severe drought and Hurricane Isaac, Mayors from towns and cities along the Mississippi River will participate in a press briefing to discuss a mayoral-led effort to bring national attention back to the Mississippi River—America’s most critical natural asset—and spearhead a new level of regional cooperation to make it more sustainable. The drought—the worst in 50 years—has severely impacted the towns, cities and people who live and make a living along the River, the ecological linchpin to the 37-state Mississippi River Basin. Now, Hurricane Isaac has further threatened many river towns.

When
September 13, 2012, 11:30am

Where
Parkview Room, overlooking the Mississippi
Hyatt Regency
315 Chestnut Street
St. Louis, MO

Participating Mayors

Francis Slay, St. Louis, Host*	Mark Vulich, Clinton, IA
Paul Winfield, Vicksburg, MS	DeWayne Hopkins, Muscatine, IA
Bill Gluba, Davenport, IA	Joe Eggemeyer, Chester, IL
Roy Buol, Dubuque, IA	Hyram Copeland, Vidalia, LA*
Jo Anne Smiley, Clarksville, MO	Dickie Kennemore, Osceola, AR
Tyrone Coleman, Cairo, IL	Tom Hoechst, Alton, IL
David Kleis, St. Cloud, MN*	Tom Thompson, Grafton, IL
A.C. Wharton, Memphis, TN*	Alvin Parks, East St. Louis, MO
Larry Stebbins, Savanna, IL	*Speaking
Richard Greminger, Ste. Genevieve, MO

Why
Mayors from along the Mississippi River main stem are participating in the inaugural meeting of the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI), coordinated by the Northeast-Midwest Institute (NEMWI), which is engaging officials from EPA, USDA, FEMA, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on critical federal activities affecting Mississippi River cities and towns as well as state officials and non-government organization stakeholders. The drought and hurricane have added a new sense of urgency to the meeting. The Mayors will discuss their efforts during the press briefing.

How
To reserve a seat at the briefing, contact Shawn Flaherty at 703-554-3609. Reporters may listen live to the briefing by calling [phone] and entering 185304#.